O/a-11 Pounder

[Rafael]

Thank you, Eddie. I really like you builds, too.

And, GTX, I also would like to have more variety (!) in modeling subjects. That's why I scratch and kitbash so much. Perhaps being a whiffer also helps.

Gracias, muchachos.

Rafa

[Rafael]

OK, gents. Now I have some time to spare sitting here explaining what I did.

I was studying an 80s concept and planning production when this little bird happened to appear before my eyes. Its elegant shape didn't leave my mind, and the thought "what if..." associated with it started to roam the back of my head. From there to the decision to build it and actually start to build it was a Zero Length Launch.


It all started with me finding the 3 view diagrams and doctoring the images so it could be built easily. The hardest part of any one of my works is finding tehways to make the build easier, perhaps a reflection of my being a Systems Analyst for 20+ years...

The clear parts you see were my first attempt to make the booms, with a coat hanger and tape....



Secondly, not liking the approach I cast two Rafale drop tanks end to end in plaster and poured resin in this mould.


I didn't like the quality of the cast pieces, mainly because my technique to prepare the plaster was not good, and the piece obtained was smaller than I wanted. So I went and improvised a profile of the boom in Balsa Wood.


This is the result. A Pounder with ¡¡¡FLAT!!! booms.


So I cut plastic pieces approaching the bulbous form of the boom tips


And glued them to the booms. Eight in total. Started the painful PSR routine and reshaping of the Boom.

[Rafael]

Here's the first assembled planform, primed to eliminate major errors. I used the previous cast as a source for boom tips,


Then cut and glued the center fuselage, using guides I cut at front and aft.



The center fuselage was then filled with balsa wood for reinforcement.


Then I cut the props and glued them with the resin tips. Note the raised detail of the canopy. The Inlets are half a drop tank. The exhaust are a drinking straw cut to shape. The Gatling gun is a smaller diameter straw and four "barrels" made of metal paperclips glued inside it (It's not the Bazzling Gun, but it worked for me)

[John Howling Mouse]

Thank you VERY much for this incredibly informative look behind the scenes of a Master's workshop, Rafael.  I learned a great deal.

I do believe this has to be some of the most fearless, gung-ho scratchbuilding I've ever seen (and I've watched studio propmasters working their miracles for years, hacking away at things to fashion some pretty incredible end-results out of unbelievable source materials).

How do you write "fearless" in your native tongue?

[Maverick]

Hola Rafael,

Muy bueno amigo!!!!

A bizarre, sexy, sleek bird with a killer backstory!!!

Regards & Salutations,

Maverick (lover of Backstories of all kinds)

[PanzerWulff]

Just 1 word SUHWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!              

[AeroplaneDriver]

"stunning" and "spectacular" just dont seem to do this one justice.  Rafa, this is incredible work!

[Rafael]

Hi, Obi-Baz, Thank you for your comments. "fearless" is "sin miedo", or "audaz" or "intrépido", but I should put it more in terms of "desesperado" !!!

Mr. Mav, if this build serves to entertain a master whiffer, then it achieved its goal!!

Thanks, Panzerwulff.

AerplaneDriver, your appreciation is valued.

Gracias..

Rafa

[lancer]

Ye gods Rafa, you've done it again amigo. You've taken a cool looking civvie machine and turned it into a sexy as hell arse kicking winner. You are rapidly turning into one of the scratchbuilding gods of this little community of ours.  

[John Howling Mouse]

Hi, Obi-Baz, Thank you for your comments. "fearless" is "sin miedo", or "audaz" or "intrépido"

Okay, I've got dibs on "Audaz"™ as a name for a Venezuelan aircraft I will someday model from scratch in Rafael's honor!!!

Zac and I were just discussing what to do with his B-66 Destroyer and I told him of an old idea I have in my Projects List to Scale-O-Rama a 1:72 version into a 1960's era 1:48 fighter.

The Audaz is hereby born, at least in concept.

Thanks, Rafa!

[Wyrmshadow]

Wyrmshadow Flight? What the hell?

[Rafael]

Just to honor you, Wyrmshadow, just that.

Thanks, Lancer, you always make my spirits soar!!!

And, Baz, I want ring-side tickets to see that "Audaz"™ development. I'm sure it will be something worth witnessing!!!    

Oh, and since i missed that class, ¿What's a Scale-O-Rama?

Thank U very mucho!!!

Rafa

[Brian da Basher]

Scale-o-rama™ is our affectionate term for taking a kit that's in one scale and turning it into something in a different scale. For example, turning a 1/72 scale twin engined fighter into a 1/144 scale transport, or in reverse, taking a 1/72 scale transport and turning it into a 1/48 scale bird.

Rafa, thanks for the peek behind the curtain you've provided us as to how you work your magic. I don't think I would have the patience to do the things you do, I am most intrigued and in total awe!

Brian da Basher

[ysi_maniac]

Good and original as always          

[Rafael]

Thanks, Brian and Carlos!!

The subject I chose was a extraordinary machination of the famed Burt Rutan and Mr. Bob Pond. It is elegant, fast, small. the kind of bird I would fly....if I wasn't afraid of heights!!! .

Thank you again!!!

Rafa